Introduction
Prince Harry has expressed his hope that Britain's charity regulator will reveal the truth following a compliance case opened into his charity, Sentebale, amidst allegations of bullying from its chair.Context
In 2006, Harry, the younger son of King Charles, co-founded Sentebale to support young people living with HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana. The charity was established in memory of his mother, Princess Diana, who tragically passed away in a 1997 car accident in Paris.Developments
Last week, Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho announced their resignation along with the charity's board of trustees due to a dispute with board chair Sophie Chandauka. In response, Chandauka accused Harry and the trustees of bullying, misogyny, and racism.Britain's Charity Commission has opened a regulatory compliance case, which enables it to collect evidence, assess findings, and assist trustees in rectifying any deficiencies, though it falls short of initiating a formal inquiry. The regulator aims to determine whether current and former trustees, including the chair, have adequately fulfilled their responsibilities under charity law.
Harry welcomed the regulator's actions, stating that he and the former patrons and trustees are optimistic it will reveal the truth that compelled their resignations. He emphasized the need for the charity to be led effectively for the sake of the communities it serves.
Chandauka also expressed her hope that the investigation would assure stakeholders of Sentebale's commitment to good governance and a healthy organizational culture.
The allegations of bullying, racism, and misogyny present a particularly emotional challenge for Harry, who has previously spoken out against similar behaviors directed at his wife, Meghan, by certain royal aides and tabloid media. The situation is particularly poignant given the charity's connection to his mother’s legacy, as "Sentebale" translates to "forget-me-not" in the local language of Lesotho.